Eric Bischoff believes we’ve only seen the “tip of the iceberg” of what MJF can achieve.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman has been one of the most popular stars in AEW since he debuted for the company at its inaugural event, Double or Nothing, in 2019.
In recent months, he has, mostly, shed the villainous ways that he has used for the past four years in an attempt to become a more respectable AEW World Champion and true friend to his brochacho Adam Cole.
This change in character has catapulted him to new levels of popularity, and his position at the top of the company was cemented when he headlined its biggest-ever show, All In at Wembley Arena in London, England.
While Friedman is on top of the world right now, Bischoff says we haven’t seen the half of what he can achieve.
Speaking on his Strictly Business podcast, Bischoff praised the Salt of the Earth, saying he “thinks the world” of him.
“In the limited time that I’ve spent with MJF, and the interactions that I continue to have with him, I think very highly of him.”
“I don’t know him well enough as a person, but I think the world of him as a talent. I think we’re just seeing the surface, the tip of the iceberg of what MJF can be as a talent.
“I love watching him, listening to his promos, and the fact that he embraces heat — there’s so many things that I truly respect and admire about MJF.”
Despite this, Bischoff admits one recent storyline has caused no end of controversy for the star.
Eric Bischoff believes controversial MJF angle shows a “lack of judgment”
On the latest edition of Dynamite, Friedman confronted Jay White following the Bullet Club Gold star’s victory over Hangman Adam Page.
After some back and forth between Friedman and BCG, Juice Robinson announced that he would be part of the upcoming Dynamite Diamond Battle Royale. He added that he’s got a present for the champion, before showing a roll of quarters to the camera with the word “Friedman” written on it.
The roll of quarters was a reference to a story previously told by MJF about the anti-semitism he suffered as a child. The moment resulted in a fierce backlash online with many describing it as “tone deaf” given the latest eruption of violence in the Middle East.
Bischoff addressed the segment, saying it reflects poorly on both Friedman and Tony Khan.
“The judgment to use anti-semitism as the premise for a story, under these circumstances, reflects a lack of judgment both on MJF’s part and more importantly, on Tony Khan’s part.”
For his part, MJF has defended the segment, putting his belief in the ultimate good that the story can do for those who have been bullied.
In a more recent episode, Eric Bischoff has assessed the negative impact of WWE Raw moving nights.
H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the above transcription.